Nav/GPS issues

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Picked up my new car this week but the nav doesn't seem to be working. The GPS doesn't want to lock on a location and I thinks I'm about 500 miles away from where I am. The map doesn't move as I drive either so I suspect there's an issue with the GPS module.

I'm told the windscreen was replaced a couple of months ago which could be the culprit. Has anyone else come across such an issue? Is there some kind of configuration I can do to recalibrate or does it sound like a dreaded hardware fault?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Anonymous]

Usually it’s the aerial that’s the fault, either it has gone u/s or the connector has come adrift...hardware failure is rare...

Have you left it long enough to get a fix, ie stationary engine running, clear view of sky all around for 20 minutes...

If it’s been not used for a very long time it takes time to acquire first fix...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response. I've car the car on the road for several hours and no change. Sometimes thinks I'm out in the Atlantic, other times im in Chorley for some reason.

I'll pick up a new antenna from eBay as they're only around a tenner and see if that works.

Cheers
Greg

 

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me if it's a Fakra cable I'm looking for? Like this...

Car GPS Active Antenna Aerial Fakra Male Plug Connector Cable for Dash DVD Head Unit Stereos by HitCar (Fakra Plug) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072L16KYH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uCjUBbNVZ8W3S

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response. I've car the car on the road for several hours and no change. Sometimes thinks I'm out in the Atlantic, other times im in Chorley for some reason.

I'll pick up a new antenna from eBay as they're only around a tenner and see if that works.

Cheers
Greg

weird that its alternating between two common positions..sadly with this technology a swap out of the aerial is the only option before replacing the nav unit..try it and see..

 

[Anonymous]

I've ordered one which should be here tomorrow. Are there any guides on removing the nav unit on here? I've had a search but not finding anything so far.

 

[flybobbie]

So have you looked to see if the aerial is connected, by pulling out the dome light.
Also remove the left sun visor and pull away the window trim to see if cable has been damaged.

 

[Anonymous]

So have you looked to see if the aerial is connected, by pulling out the dome light.
Also remove the left sun visor and pull away the window trim to see if cable has been damaged.

I've not tried anything at all yet. Complete novice when it comes to nav and I've only had the e89 a couple of days so grateful for any advice

 

[Anonymous]

I've replaced the GPS antenna today and unfortunately I'm still in Stoke (which I'm not). I've got the battery disconnected just now so will leave it another 10 mins then let the car run for 20 mins and see how that goes.

 

[Anonymous]

Back to the drawing board on this one im afraid

 

[Anonymous]

Did a little testing this evening and got some odd results.

So first of all I went for a drive and can see that lat/lng is changing as I move. Oddly when I drive west is thinks I'm going east, and driving north it thinks I'm going south.

The map moving and coords changing would suggest the GPS antenna is working somewhat, however I can't explain the inverted tracking. Should there be some kind of indicator on screen showing the GPS signal being received?

Still about 250 miles from my actual location

Determined with this one!

 

[Anonymous]

Managed to get into the service menu and it looks like there's still an antenna issue...

 

[Anonymous]

Progress!

I tried the new antenna again with the service menu option and within 30 seconds GPS status had gone from "no signal" to "3d fix"

Currently still no improvement to the situation however I found this great thread in which a guy clearly explains the "almanac" so tomorrow I'll take the car for a good long run and hopefully I'll get data reporting for the available satellites.

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=82904

I will report back!

 

[Anonymous]

Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

 

[Anonymous]

Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

How did you get to that service menu?

 

[Anonymous]

Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

How did you get to that service menu?

- Go to top menu
- Push dial to up for 10 seconds
- 3 clicks to the right
- 3 clicks to the left
- 1 click right
- 1 click left
- 1 click right
- 1 quick depress of the dial

Go into settings, scroll to bottom and it should be there

 

[Anonymous]

Big improvement this morning. My correct location was locked quickly this morning and the map followed my moves pretty accurately.

Still getting a false value for Almanac but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

Don't think there'll be any interest but I'll write up all the steps I took to resolve this as I couldn't find any useful guides anywhere!

How did you get to that service menu?

- Go to top menu
- Push dial to up for 10 seconds
- 3 clicks to the right
- 3 clicks to the left
- 1 click right
- 1 click left
- 1 click right
- 1 quick depress of the dial

Go into settings, scroll to bottom and it should be there

That was obvious, how did you find that?

 

[Anonymous]

The wonders of the internet!

So I think I'm resolved however I need to wire this bloody thing in now which is a pain. Tempted to see if any breakers have the receiver as it simply unplugs are the back of the rearview mirror so if my loom is ok it would save masses of effort!

 

[Anonymous]

The almanac could be one of two issues..failure to get a good signal for long enough to update or..

Sometimes the memory that keeps the almanac goes bad and it gets either corrupted and/or loses its ability to store the almanac..

In which case a replacement receiver is the only long term solution..

 

[Phoenixboy]

The almanac could be one of two issues..failure to get a good signal for long enough to update or..

Sometimes the memory that keeps the almanac goes bad and it gets either corrupted and/or loses its ability to store the almanac..

In which case a replacement receiver is the only long term solution..

I wouldn’t have minded having the nav on my soon to land 30i, but only really wanted it for the parking aid side of it.
Hope you get sorted Greg
Bring on the train ride Monday